For Him, I Stayed

Chapter 12: "Beneath the Rain"

Note:
"This might be shorter than the other chapters... I'm tired but I have to make 3 more chapters.
I always make 5 Chapters when I write, So yeah... I have plenty of homework. I should finish them so I could make more chapters... And rest."

Warning:
Nothing, Wholesome again (maybe cringeness)
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Chapter 12: "Beneath the Rain"

The rain was relentless, soaking through their clothes and plastering their hair to their heads as Ray and Matthew trudged along the nearly empty streets. Neither of them had thought to bring an umbrella, but neither seemed to care.

Ray walked a few steps ahead, his hands shoved into his pockets, while Matthew stayed close behind. The rain was cold, but the tension between them was warmer than any jacket could have been.

"You're going to catch a cold if you keep walking like that," Matthew called out, his voice barely audible over the downpour.

Ray didn't stop. "So will you."

Matthew quickened his pace until he was walking beside Ray. He reached out and grabbed his arm, forcing Ray to stop and face him. "Ray," he said, his tone softer now. "Let's find some shelter."

Ray hesitated, his gaze flickering to Matthew's face. The water dripping down his cheeks made him look even more earnest, and for a moment, Ray hated how much he cared.

"There's a bus stop up ahead," Matthew added, nodding toward a small shelter with a bench and a roof. "Come on."

Without waiting for an answer, Matthew started walking toward it, and after a moment, Ray followed.

---

The bus stop wasn't much, just a metal bench under a plastic roof, but it was enough to shield them from the rain. They sat side by side, their clothes clinging uncomfortably to their skin.

Matthew leaned back, letting out a long breath. "You're going to owe me hot chocolate for this," he joked, glancing at Ray with a small smile.

Ray rolled his eyes, but a faint smile tugged at his lips. "You're the one who insisted on walking home in the rain."

Matthew nudged him with his shoulder. "Oh, so now it's my fault?"

Ray shook his head, his smile fading as his gaze drifted to the rain falling just beyond the shelter. The sound of it hitting the pavement was strangely soothing, but it couldn't drown out the thoughts swirling in his head.

"Why do you do this, Matt?" Ray asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Matthew frowned, sitting up straighter. "Do what?"

Ray gestured vaguely between them. "This. Putting up with me. Chasing me down when I try to push you away. Why don't you just... give up?"

Matthew's expression softened, and he turned to face Ray fully. "Because I know you, Ray. I know the real you. The one who cares too much and feels too deeply, even if you try to hide it. And I'm not going to let you go through this alone."

Ray's chest tightened, his hands clenching into fists in his lap. "But what if I'm not worth it? What if I just end up hurting you?"

Matthew reached out, his hand covering Ray's. "Then we'll figure it out together. I'm not afraid of getting hurt, Ray. I'm afraid of losing you."

Ray's breath hitched, and for a moment, he couldn't speak. The sincerity in Matthew's voice, the way he looked at him like he was something precious-it was too much.

"You're an idiot," Ray muttered, though his voice lacked any real venom.

Matthew grinned, squeezing his hand. "Maybe. But I'm your idiot."

---

They stayed like that for a while, the rain continuing to pour around them. Neither of them spoke, but the silence between them was different now-less heavy, more hopeful.

When the rain finally began to let up, Matthew stood and stretched, offering Ray his hand. "Come on. Let's get home before we both turn into icicles."

Ray hesitated for a moment before taking Matthew's hand. It was warm, steady, and for the first time in a long time, Ray felt like maybe he wasn't alone.

As they walked back to their neighborhood, side by side, Ray found himself glancing at Matthew out of the corner of his eye. He didn't know what the future held for them, but for now, this was enough.

To be continued...